By Staff Writer
A-38- year old man of Mufulira has been sentenced to one year imprisonment with hard labour for theft of a set of sewer rods valued at K9, 000.
Before Mufulira Magistrate, was Paul Chilufya a security guard who was charged with theft of a set of sewer rods a property of Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (MWSC).
Facts before the court were that Chilufya of House NO 151 Kankoyo Township stole sewer road from MWSC Offices in Kankoyo and was later apprehended by the security guards.
In sentencing, Magistrate Sharon Luhanga said that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and found the accused guilty of theft and sentenced him accordingly.
And MWSC Communications Manager Bright Mtonga said the Company had intensified security at installation and prosecution of any suspect to curb the rising thefts of property.
He said that the Company was losing a lot of money through thefts and vandalism a situation which could not go on unabated because it was affecting the delivery of services.
“The case is one of several which we are looking to have culprits prosecuted and possibly jailed. These sewer rods are used for unblocking blocked sewerage pipes. Such thefts are a draw back to our response teams especially in a time of a cholera outbreak like now. We have resolved to ensure that the law will take its course on any suspects to ensure that we reduce on incidents of such crimes,” he said.
He said that for a long time the Company had grappled with thefts and vandalism and had resolved to take a tougher stance to protect public installations.
Mr. Mtonga said MWSC was giving a timely warning to would be vandals or thieves to refrain to avoid the penalties which may come with being found guilty.
“Any theft or vandalism of MWSC properties will not be tolerated, even illegal water and sewer connections will be dealt with through the courts of law. This is a reminder to the communities to refrain from illegal activities,” he said.
